Folding perambulator or go-cart.



FOLDING PERAMBULATOR OR GO CART. APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wmu d 5 g PATENTED JULY 30, 19 07 A. E. MoGILL. FOLDING PERAMBULATOR ORG0 CART.

. APPLICATION FILED DEATH. 1906.

s snEETs-snim' a if ea' ALBERT E. M(JGILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING BERAMBULATOR OB GO-CART.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30,1907.

Application filed May 12, 1906- Serial No. 316,476.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. McGILL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Peran bulatorsor Go-Carts", of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification.

My invention relates to folding perambulators or gocarts for smallchildren adapted tobe folded into a compact form, and it has for one ofits important objects to provide simple and fiicient means whereby theback of the seat may be extended or inclined as desired to suitthe'comfort and ease of the child.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved and simple meanswhereby the folding of one pair of wheels will also cause the other pairto make a like movement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide certain details inthe construction of the device which will especially adapt it for beingmade with a wooden frame, thereby reducing the cost of manufacture overconstruct ions heretofore employed.

.\\'i1h a view to the accomplishment of. these ends and certain otherobjects which will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in thefeatures of novelty which will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings and then more particularly pointed go-cariconstructed according to this invention withthc handle broken away. Fig.2 is a. plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation or edge view ofthe device folded up. Fig. 4 is an end view thereof. Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail perspective view of one of the rear corners of therunning gear frame and connected parts. Fig. (i is an enlarged detailsection'taken on the line (i, 6 Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailsection taken longitudinally of one of the side bars of the seat frame.Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one end of the locking bolts or rodshereinafter described. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the barsof the running gear frame, showing the groove in which said rod slides.Fig. 10 is a f raginent. of Fig. 7 showing a different adjustment of theextension. Fig. 11 is a detail cross section on the line 1], 11 Fig. 7,and Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse section taken on the line 12, 12Fig. 1, the wheel being omitted.

The running gear frame is composed of two side bars 1, 2 which areconnected together at their forward ends by'a transverse rod 3. Theseside bars may be composed of any suitable matcrialbut if composed ofwood as is advantageous in point of cheapncss, they will constituteseparate parts from the rod 3, which may be in the form of an elongatedbolt passing through the ends of the bars 1, f." and also serving as apivotal support for the lower or forward end of the side; bars 4, 5 ofthe seat frame. In this example of the invention these side bars 4, 5are composed of tubing or made hollow as better shown inFigs. 7 and 10,so as to receive the branches 6 of an extension which is composed ofsaid branches and a cross bar at their upper ends, and these parts areof a construction similar to that shown in my application filed Dec. 5,1904, Serial No. 235,529. This extension 6, 7 is also composed of tubingand is adapted to slide freely in the bars 4, 5 so as to be withdrawnany desired extent and thereby impart a corresponding extension andinclination to a flexible back portion 8 of the seat 9. This flexibleback portion 8 passes over a rod 10 supported under the cross bar 7 bymeans of thumb nuts 11 screwed on the ends of stems 12 which passthrough the crossbar 7 so that when desired the supporting bar 10 may becaused to clamp the'fiexible back extension 8 firmly against the-underside of the bar 7 and thereby hold the back extension 8 at the desiredadjustment, preventing it from sagging more than required; In order thatthe back extension 8 may not slip entirely out of its position betweenthe bars 7, 10, it is provided at its extremity with a welt 13 ofgreater diameter than the ordinary distance between the said two bars.

In the use of the back extension the cross bar 7 is pulled upwardly orrcarwardly after the thumb nuts 11 have been loosened until the desireddegree of'inclination and extension is attained, and it may then belocked in position by a pin 14 inserted in any one of a series ofperforations or sockets 15 in one .of the u branches 6, at a point abovethe upper end of one of the side bars 4, 5, thus preventing the branchesof the extension from slipping back into the side bars 4, 5. The backextension 6-, 7 is prevented from being pulled entirely out of the sidebars 4, 5 by a catch 16 adapted to engage in a perforation or socket 17at the upper end of one of the side bars 4, 5. This catch is in the formof an U shaped spring situated-within the branch 6 and having a lug 17*-embedded in the wall of said branch on one end and a V shaped hook 18arranged in an aperture 19 in the opposite sidewall of said branch andbearing normally against the inner face of side bar 5 so that whenitarrives at the socket 17 it will drop into it but on account of its Vshape or beveled-form it will disengage from said socket when the branch6 is pressed downwardly.

The cross bar 7 ofthe back extension connects the upper ends of the sidebars 4, 5 together and constitutes therewith an U shaped seat framewhich is adapted to be folded down into close relation to the two sidebars 1, 2 of the running gear frame, and as shown in Fig. 2 itisnarrower than the running gear frame and is adapted to be embraced byfolding handle when the latter is turned downwardly into place on top ofthe running gear frame so that the three members occupy in depth thethickness 01' only two of them. This folding handle is composed of twoside bars cbnnected at their lower ends to the rear ends of side bars 1,2 by means of ordinary hinges 21, while their upper ends areconnected-together by handle bar 22. As is shown in Fig. 2 the handleframe. is

' longer than the seat frame so as to project over and entirely embracethe latter when folded up.

The seat 9 is suspended from the hinged seatirame by seat fabrics 23 andthese are attached-to the side bars 4, ,5 by means of rods 24 similar inconstruction to that shown in my U. s. Letters Patent No. 771,386,

October 4, 1904. The upper ends of these rods are bent around the sidebars 4, 5 as shown at 25' and thus connected thereto while their lowerends are attached to the side bars 4, 5, by nuts 26 passing through theupper sides of the side bars 4, 5, but resting against the under sides,see Fig; 7, and being screwed upon threaded extensions 27 of therods'24, or any other suitable means ofadjustment maybe employed. The

seat fabric 23' may be prevented from sliding down the -rods. 24 in amanner similar to that shown in the above referred to application, thatis by nieans of pins or screws 28 and offsets or bends 29 in therods 24,these parts being sorelated that -the fabric 23 ispressed into the bendor offsets 29 by the screw or pin 28, thereby preventing the fabric fromsliding. These bends or lass 41, 42 respectively. and the front fork 39is rigidly screws 28 are the means wherebya clip or collar 30 is held oneach of the side bars 4, 5 for attaching the upper ends of seatsupporting braces 31 thereto. 'The l'ower ends of these braces 31' areconnected to the side bars 20 respectively of the handle by means oflinks 32 so that when the handle is folded forwardly it will force thelower ends of the braces 31 in the same direction and therebyautomatically cause them to'fold up with the folding seat frame 4, 5.When the seat frame is in position for use the lower ends of the bracesthe hinges 21, if desired, and which is connected to the catches 34 insuch a way that when a toe piece 36 on the rod 35 is pressed the catches34 will releasethe bar 33, permitting the handle to be folded forwardly.The catches 34 may also be connected together for the sake of greatersecurity by across rod 37. When the cross bar 33 isin operative positionasshown in Fig.

by guards 38, one on ea'ch-oftlre side bars 1, 2.

39, 40 are the front andba'ck wheel foiks or brackets, a pair of whichis journaled to eachof the side bars, 1,; 2'. oftheiunning gear frame bymeans of colconnected to the rear fork-4d by means of a rod 43seci'rre'dthereto in any suitable wayso that when the wheel fork at one end' ofthe running gear frame is folded under the frame as shown in Figs. 3 and4-, the

fork at the other end will make a similar movement without specialattention. In order that these forks 5, it is held against thepossibility of rising upwardly may be rigidly locked against rotarymovement when in operative position, the upper side of each of the sidebars 1, 2 is provided with a longitudinal groove 44, an example of whichis shown in Fig. 9, and in each of these grooves is situated alongitudinally movable bolt or locking rod 45, which, if desired,.may beround, and which .passes through offsets.46 in collars 41, 42 andconsequently holds these collars against rotary movement. These rods 45,however, .are formed with notches Use that when moved longitudinally therequisite distance the notches will come oppositethe offsets 46andpermit the collars 41, 42 to rotate around the bars 1, 2 and lockingbelts or rods 45. When the locking rods 45 are in their locked positionthey may be so held by catches 48 secured to the collars 41 and engagingrings 49 formed on rods 45 and embracing bars 1, 2. For the bettersupport of the cross bar 33 its ends are turned downwardly as shown at33 over the said offsets of the collars 42, thus holding the bar 33agains t longitudinal movement and avoiding the possibility of the endsthereof slipping out from between theoffsets 46 and guards 38'. Thecollars 41 42 are split or divided as indicated at 429011 the collar 42as an example, so that they" may be in-" sorted over the side bars 1,2and embedded therein to prevent them fioin moving longitudinallythereon, the divisions of the collar being afterwards secured-togetherby a nut and bolt 42 or. other suitable means. Having thus describedm'y'invention what claim as new therein and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

' 1. 1n n perambulatoi' the combination of a seat frame, a

seat, a flexible, extensible back portion to said seat,'an extension on.said seat frame, means for adjustably connecting said back portion andextension together, andmeans for supporting and carrying said seatframe.

2. In a pel'ambulator the combination of aseat, a flexi- I ble,extensible back portion therefor, a seat frame supporting said seat, anadjustable extension on said seat frame, ahd means whereby said flexibleback portion may be connected to said extension at any desired point inthe length of said back portion, with means for supporting andcarryingsaid seat .frame.-

. 3. Ina perambulator the combination of a seat, a dent ble, exten siblcback portion therefor, a seat frame, an adjustable extenslon thereon,and a clamp for connecting said extension and extensible hack portiontogether with means for supporting and carrying said sent frame. 4. In aper-ambulator.the combination of aseat, a flexible, extensibleback'portion therefor, a seat frame, an adjustable extension on saidframe, a rod between which and saidextension said back portion passes,and means whereby said rod is caused to clamp said backpq f ion, withmeans for supportlngnnd carrying said seat frame.

5. In a per-ambulatorthe combination of.a seat frame, a seat frameextension telescoped therewith, a seat supported on sal-idframe, aflexible back portion and means whereby said back portion may be secured-to said extensionat the desired point in thelengtli thereof, with meansfor supporting and carrying said seat frame.

6'. In a perar'nbulator the combination of a seat framecomprlslngtuliular sidebars, a seat fpam'e extension comprising a crossbar and branches insertedln said side bars, a seat suppost'edspn saidside. bars, a flexible back portion,

aclampingbar adjnstably secured longitudinally of siiid cross bar andbtween which clampingba'mand cross bar 'sald' back portl'onis supported,and means for supporting and carrying said sent frame.

7. In a perainbu-laton the combinationof a seat frame comprising tubularside bars; a" seat frame extension com prising a cross bar and branchesinserted in said side bars,-

means for locking saidbranches and side bars together in variouspositions of adjustment, is neat supported on said bends, means pressingsaid bar and means for per ends to side bars. a flexible back-portionfor-said seat, and means whereby said back portion is adjustably securedto said cross bar. with means for supporting and carrying saidseatframe.

8; In a'perambulator the combination of'a seat frame, a seat frameextension comprising a cross bar, a clamping rod arranged longitudinallyof said cross bar and having threaded ends passing therethrough, thumbnuts screwed on said threaded ends for clamping said bars together, aseat; supported on said seat frame, a flexible back portion for-saidseat passing between said crossbar-and clamping supporting and carryingsaid seat frame.

9. In a perainbulator the combination of seat frame, a

seat, side fabrics ,for supporting said seat, rods secured-to said seatframe and around which said sidefabrics are looped at their upperedges/said rods. having offsets or fabric into said offsets or bends forpreventing the same from sliding down said rods and means for supportingand carrying said seat frame.

10. In a perambulator the combination of a running gear frame, a seatframe ward end thereon, seat frame braces pivoted at their upthe upperend of said seat frame, a handle hinged to said runnin ggeur frame,links connecting said handle to the lower ends of said seat framebraces,'-a

cross bar connecting the lower ends of said braces together, and a latchfor engaging and locking said cross bar'when the braces are in theiroperative position.

11. In aperambulator .the combination ofa running gear frame, a seatframe hinged at its forward end thereto, seat frame braces pivoted attheir upper ends to the upper end of said scat frame, a handle hinged tosaid running .gear frame, links connecting said handle to'the lower endsof said braces, a cross bar connecting the lower ends of said bracestogether, guards on said running gear frame under which said cross barcng.-1geswhen-the said braces are in operative position, and latches forengaging and locking said cross bar. 12. in a peramluilator thecombination of a running gear frame, a seat frame hinged at its forwardend thereto, seat frame braces pivoted at their upper ends to the seatframe, a cross bar connecting the lower ends of said braces together,two latches engaging the ends of said cross bar respectively, and meansconnecting said latches together whereby they will move in unison. I

13. in a perambulator the combination of a running gear frame comprisingside bars, wheel brackets rotatably connected to said side bars andconnected together in pairs so as to move in unison, a sliding, lockingbar partially embedded in each of said side bars and each being commonto two of said brackets, and means whereby the movement of said bars inone direction will lock said brackets against rotary movement.

14. In a perambulator the combination of a running gear frame,comprising side bars, wheel brackets rigidly connected together inpairs, collars on each of said brackets rotatably mounted on said'sidebars and having offsets, a locking rod partially embedded in each ofsaid side bars and passing through said offsets for locking saidc'ollars against rotary movement, said rods having notches adapted to bemoved into register with said collars for permitting'the collars torotate.

l5. In'a pcrambulator the "combination of a running gear framecomprising side bars, wheel brackets, collars journaling said bracketsupon said bars and having offsets. and locking rods slidablelongitudinally of said side bars into engagement with said offsets forholding, the coliars against rotary movement.

16. In a peramb ulator the combination of a running gear framecomprising side bars, wheel brackets, collars journaiing said wheelbrackets upon said side bars and having oiTsets, locking rods havingrings embracing said side bars and extending longitudinally thereof intoengagement with said olfsets for locking said collars against rotarymovement.

'17. in a perambulator the combination of a running gear framecomprising side bars, divided collnrssurroundlng and embedded in saidside bars, wheel brackets car ried by'sald collars respectively, andmeans for locking pivotallysupported at its forsaid collars againstrotary movement'on said side bars at in an adjusted position, a securingthe back portion .to said extension'at'the desired point in the lengththereof,

and means for supporting and carrying said 'seatframe.

19.'In a folding perambulator the combination of a folding seatsupporting structure, a forwardly and rear wardly'moving locking barconnected with said structure, a hinged handle connected with saidstructure for causing it to fold downwardly when the handle is movedforwardly and dfl/b'lHl'flldiy and to rise to position for use when thehandle is raised, and a pivoted catch stationary with rela 'tionto saidlocking barand adapted to engage the same and hold the seat supportingstructure and handle in position when the handle is raised.

20. In a folding perambulator the combination of a horizontal runninggear frame, a folding seat supporting structure supported thereon andadapted to fold lengthwise'thereof and in close relation thereto, alocking, bar

connected with theseat supporting structure and movable thereby alongthe running gear frame as said structure folded and unfolded, a handlehinged to the rear end of the running gearjframe and pivotally connectedwith the said structure for raising said structure into position for useor lowering it to its folded position as the handle is raised orlowered, and a catch pivotally fixed to the running gear when thehandleis raised to position for use.

21. In a folding perambulator the combination of a hori-' zoutal runninggearframe, a folding seat supporting structure supported thereon andadapted to fold into a positionlengthwise thereof, a lockingbarconnected with the seat supporting structure and having sliding supporton the running 'gear frame, said locking bar being movable along therunning gear frame by the seat supporting structure as the saidstructure is folded-and unfolded, a handle hinged to the lower end ofthe running gear frame and pivotally connected to said structurefol-raising the structure to position foruse when the handle is raisedand folding the structure towards the running gear frame as thehandle'is lowered, and a catch pivotally fixed to'the running gear framefor engaging and holding said locking bar when the handle is raised toposition for use.

22'. In a folding perambulator the combination of a-fold ingseatsupporting structure, a forwardly and rearwardly moving locking barconnected with said structure, a hinged handle connected with saidstructure for causing .it to fOlL downwardly when thehandle is movedforwardly and to rise to position for use'when the handle is raised, afor- War'dly projecting catch fixed against movement! with said lockingbar pivoted on a horizontal axis engage and hold said bar againstmovement when the handle is raised, and a downwardly movable toe piececonnected with said catch whereby the catch may be released by thepressure of the foot of the operator,

23. In a folding perambulator thecombination of a horizontal runninggear frame, a folding seat supporting structure supported thereon andadapted to .fold into a position lengthwise thereof, a lockinglharconnected with said seat supporting structure. and having slidingsupport upon the running gear"frame and being movable back and forth onthe running gear frame as the seat supporting structure is folded andunfolded, a handle hinged to the running gear frame and pivotallyconnected with the seat supporting structure for raising and loweringthe seat' supporting structure as the handle is raised and lowered, anda forwardly projecting catch having a beveled end arranged in the lineof'movemeut of saidlocking bar for engaging and holding the bar whenthe. handle is raised to position for use and thereby holding both thehandle and the seat supporting structure against'folding movement.

'24. In a folding perambulator the combination of a horiaontai runninggeari'rame, a folding seat supporting structure embodying pivoted sidemembers arranged over the sides of the running gear frame respectivelyand adapted to move downwardly into folded relation therewith, alockrespectto the seat frame,-

frame for engaging and holding said locking bar and adapted to in;' liarextending across the running gear frame and having sliding supp atitsends thereon'and being conneeted a ti'ts ends respee vely' with thesuid side memhers of the p v ,seat supporting structure; a handlehing-ed tothe running 5 gear frame and ,eomprising connected sideliarsfsnid handle sidebars being pivotallyeonueeted respectively withthe -said ,side memhersof the seat supporting st1'uetu1'e,'cat cliesconnected together and pivotaliy fixed to the running; gear framefor-engaging said locking liar near its ends i'espeeT- ture'againstfolding movement whemthe handleis raised,

and means whereby both the said .eatehes'm'av be held out" 7f engagementatfthesame time.

25. In a folding peramhulatoi' the combination of a'running gear framehaving horizontal 'side liars, a folding. seat supporting struetureembodying pivotedside memhers adaptedto fold into a position lengthwiseof said side bars respectively, a loekingihar movable hack and forthwithrelation to the running gear frame and having sliding sup? tivelyand holding the handle and seat supporting Stiller" 1 port -at'its uponsaidsidebars and being pivotaliy 1 connected at its ends respectivelywith saidside members the, running geaiufrauie respectively and being:respectively connected pivotalLv with the saidside memhers' of tlieseat. supporting structure, 'eatch'es pivotally fixed \vith'relaixion tothe running" gear frame, for engaging said locking liar near its 'endswhen the handle, is raised and holding the Witnesses p FRANCIS A.HOPKINS, CHAS. Ii. SEEM. v

of the folding seat supporting structure, a handle comprisins:eonueetedside bars hinged to'said horizontal bars of handle andsen-t-suppoitting' structure against folding Ann cp'r 1. 'MCGILL. p

